Overview

East Coast communities strongly oppose offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun blasting—an extremely loud and dangerous process used to search for oil and gas deposits deep below the ocean’s surface—because these activities threaten their economic well-being and quality of life.  Along the Atlantic coast, communities rely on healthy ocean ecosystems to support jobs in fishing, recreation and tourism.

As of April 2018, more than 190 East Coast municipalities and over 1,200 local, state and federal elected officials have opposed offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration. Nearly all the Governors along the East and West coasts - Republicans and Democrats alike - have expressed concerns with and/or opposition to expanded oil and gas exploration, development, and production off their coasts, including the Governors of Washington, Oregon, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Along the Atlantic Coast, numerous fishing and tourism interests, including local chambers of commerce, tourism and restaurant associations, and an alliance representing over 41,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families from Florida to Maine, also strongly oppose oil exploration and/or development off the East Coast.

Additionally, the Pacific, North Pacific, New England, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils have all expressed concerns about the risks posed by seismic surveys and oil and gas development to managed resources, fisheries and coastal communities in the Atlantic. Finally, NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Florida Defense Support Task Force have all expressed concerns about expanded offshore oil and gas development threatening their ability to perform critical activities.

Click here to view the full size map.

Where the movement began: Kure Beach, North Carolina, a picturesque tourist destination known for its small town atmosphere and the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast, was ground zero in the fight against offshore oil exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. This tiny spit of sand that 2,000 people call home sparked a movement that has spread like wildfire up and down the East Coast. On January 27, 2014, more than 300 residents showed up to protest the mayor's position on seismic airgun blasting. Check out the video of the meeting, and read more on our blog.

Ever since that fateful night in January, opposition to seismic airgun blasting and Atlantic drilling has been mounting. Members of Congress and East Coast Governors need to hear from the people who will be most affected by seismic blasting and offshore drilling -- and that's where you come in. We have some great momentum, but we're only going to #StopTheDrill if more of us take up the call, and urge our elected officials to #ProtectOurCoast. Check out all the opposition to offshore oil and gas exploration and development, spread the word and join the movement!

 

Additional Resources

Email us at [email protected] to join our pod of Wavemakers who want to get involved at the local level. The campaign organizer in your region will contact you about next steps.

• East Coast Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Seismic Airgun Blasting Fact Sheet (August 2017)
• Seismic Airgun Blasting: The Impacts Long Fact Sheet (July 2017)
• Seismic Airgun Blasting: Quick Facts Trifold Brochure (August 2017)
• Fishing, Seismic Airgun Blasting and Offshore Drilling Fact Sheet (March 2016)
• Impacts to Tourism from Offshore Drilling Fact Sheet (March 2016)
• Map of East Coast Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Seismic Airgun Blasting For Print (October 2017)
• Maps Showing At-Risk Marine Life Threatened by Seismic Airgun Blasting: Overlap of proposed seismic airgun permits, essential fish habitat for commercially important species, and critical habitat for threatened/endangered species in the Atlantic (June 2017)
• Fact sheet: Overview of 2019-2024 Draft Proposed Plan for Offshore Drilling (Feb 2018)
• Offshore Energy by the Numbers: An economic analysis of offshore drilling and wind energy in the Atlantic and state factsheets (January 2015) 
• Printable Petition Against Seismic Airgun Blasting (June 2017)

 

Join the #ProtectOurCoast movement!

• Seismic Airgun Blasting: How to submit a public comment Quarter Card (May/June 2017)

• Learn how to pass a resolution in your town or city here.
• Learn how to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper here.
• Sign our petitions against seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic and expanding offshore drilling here.
• Learn how to collect petitions in your neighborhood here.

 

East Coast opposition

Municipalities and Counties

1. Accomack County, VA: Passed resolution 4/15/2009 (offshore drilling); Voted to send letter 2/12/2016 (offshore drilling)
2. Annapolis, MD: Passed resolution 2/26/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
3. Apalachicola, FL: Passed resolution 11/7/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
4. Arapahoe, NC: Passed resolution 3/1/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
5. Asbury Park, NJ: Passed resolution 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
6. Atlanta, GA: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
7. Atlantic Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/8/2014 (seismic blasting)
8. Atlantic Beach, NC: Passed resolution 11/23/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
9. Atlantic Beach, SC: Passed resolution 9/14/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
10. Atlantic City, NJ: Passed resolution 4/9/2015 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
11. Atlantic County, NJ: Passed resolution 1/30/2018 (offshore drilling)
12. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Passed resolution 2/15/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
13. Avalon, NJ: Passed resolution 10/12/2016 (seismic blasting)
14. Bald Head Island, NC: Passed resolution 8/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
15. Baltimore, MD: Passed resolution 10/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
16. Barnegat, NJ: Passed resolution 7/28/2014 (seismic blasting)
17. Beach Haven, NJ: Passed resolution 8/11/2014 (seismic blasting)
18. Beachwood, NJ: Passed resolution 7/16/2014 (seismic blasting)
19. Beaufort, NC: Passed resolution 8/10/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
20. Beaufort, SC: Passed resolution 2/10/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
21. Belleair Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
22. Belmar, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
23. Belville, NC: Passed resolution 3/7/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
24. Berkeley, NJ: Passed resolution 1/22/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
25. Berlin, MD: Passed resolution 1/25/2016 (seismic blasting)
26. Bethany Beach, DE: Passed resolution 3/18/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
27. Bonita Springs, FL: Passed resolution 4/1/2015 (seismic blasting)
28. Bradley Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 3/11/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
29. Briarcliffe Acres, SC: Passed resolution 10/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
30. Brick, NJ: Passed resolution 1/30/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
31. Brigantine, NJ: Passed resolution 3/18/2015 (seismic blasting)
32. Brookhaven, NY: Sent letter 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
33. Broward County, FL: Passed resolution 4/10/2010 (offshore drilling)
34. Brunswick, GA: Passed resolution 5/20/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
35. Calabash, NC: Passed resolution 3/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
36. Cape Canaveral, FL: Passed resolution 12/15/2009 (offshore drilling); Passed 4/15/2014 (seismic blasting)
37. Cape Coral, FL: Passed resolution 2/8/2016 (seismic blasting)
38. Cape May County, NJ: Passed resolution 8/9/2016 (seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
39. Carolina Beach, NC: Passed resolution 2/28/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 10/13/2015 (offshore drilling)
40. Carolina Shores, NC: Passed resolution 10/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
41. Carrboro, NC: Passed resolution 3/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
42. Caswell Beach, NC: Passed resolution 3/31/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 10/14/2015 (offshore drilling)
43. Cedar Point, NC: Passed resolution 1/26/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
44. Chapel Hill, NC: Passed resolution 9/28/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
45. Charleston, SC: Passed resolution 3/24/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
46. Charleston County, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
47. Charlestown, RI: Passed resolution 3/12/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
48. Clearwater, FL: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
49. Cocoa Beach, FL: Passed resolution 4/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
50. Collier County, FL: Passed resolution 1/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
51. Columbia, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
52. Currituck County, NC: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
53. Dare County, NC: Passed resolution 12/5/2005 (offshore drilling); Passed another 4/6/2015 (offshore drilling); Passed another 2/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
54. Dewey Beach, DE: Passed resolution 12/12/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
55. Duck, NC: Passed resolution 9/2/2009 (offshore drilling); Passed another 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
56. East Hampton, NY: Passed resolution 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
57. Edisto Beach, SC: Passed resolution 5/8/2014 (seismic blasting)
58. Emerald Isle, NC: Passed resolution 4/15/2015 (seismic blasting); Passed another 10/13/2015 (offshore drilling)
59. Escambia County, FL: Passed resolution 5/4/2017 (offshore drilling)
60. Fenwick Island, DE: Passed resolution 1/22/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
61. Fernandina Beach, FL: Passed resolution 12/2/2014 (seismic blasting)
62. Flagler County, FL: Passed resolution 5/18/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
63. Folly Beach, SC: Passed resolution 3/10/15 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
64. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Passed resolution 4/19/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
65. Ft. Myers Beach, FL: Passed resolution 4/6/2015 (seismic blasting)
66. Ft. Walton Beach, FL: Passed resolution 6/27/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
67. Georgetown, SC: Passed resolution 4/16/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
68. Georgetown County, SC: Passed resolution 7/25/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
69. Greenville, SC: Passed resolution 4/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
70. Gulfport, FL: Passed resolution 9/15/2009 (offshore drilling)
71. Hilton Head, SC: Voted to send letter to BOEM 3/25/2015 (offshore drilling); Voted to send letter to the State's Department of Health and Environmental Control 3/19/2015 (seismic blasting)
72. Hinesville, GA: Passed resolution 3/17/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
73. Holden Beach, NC: Passed resolution 9/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
74. Holly Ridge, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
75. Horry County, SC: Passed resolution 8/22/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
76. Hyde County, NC: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
77. Indialantic, FL: Passed resolution 1/7/2015 (seismic blasting)
78. Indian Harbor Beach, FL: Passed resolution 1/13/2015 (seismic blasting)
79. Indian River County, FL: Passed resolution 12/8/2015 (seismic blasting)
80. Indian Shores, FL: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
81. Islamorada, FL: Passed resolution 9/8/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
82. Isle of Palms, SC: Passed resolution 2/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
83. Jacksonville Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/16/2015 (seismic blasting)
84. James Island, SC: Passed resolution 3/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
85. Keyport, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
86. Key West, FL: Passed reolution 3/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
87. Kiawah Island, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
88. Kill Devil Hills, NC:  Passed resolution 6/9/2014 (offshore drilling)
89. Kingsland, GA: Passed resolution 4/13/2015 (seismic blasting, proclamation)
90. Kitty Hawk, NC: Passed resolution 9/12/2005 (offshore drilling and exploration)
91. Kure Beach, NC: Passed resolution 1/19/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
92. Lake Worth, FL: Passed resolution 12/15/2009 (offshore drilling)
93. Lavallette, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling)
94. Lewes, DE: Passed resolution 11/9/2015 (seismic blasting)
95. Long Branch, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
96. Lower Township, NJ: Passed resolution 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
97. Madeira Beach, FL: Passed resolution 2/2018
98. Manasquan, NJ: Passed resolution 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
99. Manteo, NC: Passed resolution 5/7/2014 (seismic blasting)
100. Mantoloking, NJ: Passed resolution 2/20/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
101. Marathon, FL: passed resolution 3/27/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
102. Marco Island, FL: Passed resolution 3/15/2010 (offshore drilling)
103. Martin County, FL: Sent letter 7/30/2014 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
104. McClellanville, SC: Passed resolution 5/4/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
105. Melbourne, FL: Passed resolution 1/13/2015 (seismic blasting)
106. Melbourne Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/17/2014 (seismic blasting)
107. Miami, FL: Passed resolution 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
108. Miami Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/10/2008 (offshore drilling); Passed another 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling)
109. Miami-Dade County, FL: Passed resolution 6/20/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
110. Milton, DE: Passed resolution 2/24/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
111. Monmouth Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 2/27/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
112. Monmouth County, NJ: Passed resolution 2/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
113. Monroe County, FL: Passed resolution 4/12/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
114. Montgomery County, MD: Passed resolution 3/1/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
115. Morehead City, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
116. Mt. Pleasant, SC: Passed resolution 5/13/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
117. Myrtle Beach, SC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
118. Nags Head, NC: Passed resolution 4/2/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 7/2/2014 (offshore drilling)
119. Nantucket, MA: Passed resolution 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
120. Naples, FL: Passed resolution 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
121. Neptune Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
122. New Hanover County, NC: Passed resolution 1/22/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
123. New Jersey State League of Municipalities: Sent letter 1/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
124. New Shoreham, RI: Passed resolution 3/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
125. New Smyrna Beach, FL: Passed resolution 12/9/2014 (seismic blasting)
126. Norfolk, VA: Passed resolution 7/18/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
127. North Myrtle Beach, SC: Passed resolution 8/17/2015 (offshore drilling)
128. North Redington Beach, FL: Passed resolution 1/10/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
129. North Wildwood, NJ: Passed resolution 8/16/2016 (seismic blasting); Passed another 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
130. Northampton County, VA: Passed resolution 3/8/2016 (offshore drilling)
131. Oak Island, NC: Passed resolution 4/29/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 9/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
132. Oakland Park, FL: Passed resolution 7/19/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
133. Ocean City, MD: Passed resolution 9/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
134. Ocean County, NJ: Passed resolution 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
135. Ocean County Mayors' Association: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
136. Ocean Gate, NJ: Passed resolution 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
137. Ocean Isle, NC: Passed resolution 10/13/2015 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
138. Orange County, NC: Passed resolution 9/1/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
139. Oriental, NC: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
140. Palm Beach County, FL: Passed resolution in 2010 (offshore drilling)
141. Pawleys Island, SC: Passed resolution 9/14/2015 (offshore drilling, proclamation)
142. Pensacola, FL: Passed resolution 5/11/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
143. Pine Knoll Shores, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
144. Pinellas County, FL: Passed resolution 2/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
145. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
146. Point Pleasant Borough, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
147. Port Royal, SC: Passed resolution 2/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
148. Porterdale, GA: Passed resolution 9/6/2016 (offshore drilling)
149. Portland, ME: Passed resolution 2/15/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
150. Portsmouth, VA: Passed resolution 3/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
151. Punta Gorda, FL: Passed resolution 2/3/2016 (seismic blasting)
152. Red Bank, NJ: Passed resolution 3/12/2014 (seismic blasting)
153. Redington Beach, FL: Passed resolution 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
154. Redington Shores, FL: Passed resolution 2/14/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
155. Rehoboth Beach, DE: Passed resolution 1/15/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
156. Rockville, SC: Passed resolution 4/20/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
157. Roosevelt, NJ: Passed resolution 2/26/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
158. Sanibel, FL: Passed resolution 12/6/2016 (seismic blasting)
159. Sarasota, FL: Passed resolution 10/5/2009 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
160. Satellite Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/5/2014 (seismic blasting)
161. Savannah, GA: Passed resolution 4/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
162. Sea Bright, NJ: Passed resolution 1/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
163. Sea Isle City, NJ: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
164. Seabrook Island, SC Mayor and Councilmembers: Voted to send letter 5/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
165. Shallotte, NC: Passed resolution 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
166. South Bethany, DE: Passed resolution 6/10/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
167. South Miami, FL: Passed resolution 11/7/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
168. Southampton, NY: Passed resolution 8/22/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
169. Southern Shores, NC: Passed resolution 1/4/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
170. Southport, NC: Passed resolution 5/8/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 8/13/2015 (offshore drilling); Reiterated opposition 2/8/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
171. Space Coast League of Cities, FL: Passed resolution 2/9/2015 (seismic blasting)
172. Spring Lake, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
173. St. Augustine, FL: Updated 4/14/2014 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
174. St. James, NC: Passed resolution 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
175. St. Johns County, FL Commissioners: Sent letter 4/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
176. St. Lucie County, FL: Sent letter 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling)
177. St. Marys, GA: Passed resolution 2/2/2015 (seismic blasting, proclamation)
178. St. Pete's Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/13/18 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
179. St. Petersburg, FL: Passed resolution 4/17/2014 (seismic blasting)
180. Stone Harbor, NJ: Passed resolution 7/19/2016 (seismic blasting)
181. Suffolk, VA: Passed resolution 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
182. Sullivan's Island, SC:  Passed resolution 3/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
183. Sunset Beach, NC: Passed resolution 6/30/2014 (seismic blasting)
184. Surf City, NC: Passed resolution 8/4/2015  (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
185. Surfside Beach, SC: Passed resolution 9/22/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
186. Swansboro, NC: Passed resolution 11/24/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
187. Titusville, FL: Passed resolution 1/12/2010 (offshore drilling)
188. Tiverton, RI: Passed resolution 3/22/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
189. Toms River, NJ: Passed resolution 2/13/2018
190. Topsail Beach, NC: Passed resolution 4/23/2014 (seismic blasting)
191. Treasure Island, FL: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
192. Tybee Island, GA: Passed resolution 1/15/2015 (seismic blasting); Passed another 9/10/2015 (offshore drilling)
193. Vero Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/17/2015 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
194. Virginia Beach, VA: Passed resolution 6/20/2017 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling); Passed another 1/25/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
195. Washington, DC: Passed resolution 2/19/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
196. West Cape May, NJ: Passed resolution 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
197. West Melbourne, FL: Passed resolution 2/3/2015 (seismic blasting)
198. West Wildwood, NJ: Passed resolution 8/5/2016 (seismic blasting)
199. Wildwood Crest, NJ: Passed resolution 1/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
200. Wilmington, NC: Passed resolution 7/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
201. Wilton Manors, FL: Passed resolution 3/14/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
202. Wrightsville Beach, NC: Passed resolution 9/9/2010 (offshore drilling)

 

Business Interests

Multi-state

• The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF): Sent letter to Secretary Zinke on behalf of 31 firms representing $30.7 billion in assets to oppose the Draft Proposed Program 3/9/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letters to Governors Scott, Deal, McAuliffe and Carney 7/21/2017 and Cooper 7/20/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
• Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke on behalf of more than 41,000 businesses and 500,200 commercial fishing families, urging them not to reconsider the 2017-2022 plan 4/28/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to President Obama on behalf of more than 35,000 businesses and 500,200 commercial fishing families from Maine to Florida, uring him to permanently protect the Atlantic from offshore oil and gas drilling, and to deny all Atlantic seismic airgun blasting permits 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 66 East Coast businesses: Signed letter to President Obama 12/12/2016 (offshore drilling)
• Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to President Obama on behalf of more than 12,000 businesses and 400,000 commercial fishing families 10/27/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 360+ East Coast Businesses: Signed letter to President Obama 2/16/2016 (offshore drilling)
• 280 East Coast Businesses: Signed letter to President Obama 2/3/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 440+ South Carolina Businesses: Signed letter to Governor Haley 12/16/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

Delaware

• Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association: Sent letter to BOEM 1/15/2016 (seismic blasting)

Florida

• Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 1/12/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Destin Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 1/24/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce: Updated resolution 7/21/2015 (offshore drilling)

Maryland

• Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce: Sent letter to President Obama 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association: Sent letter to BOEM 2/29/2016 (offshore driling and seismic blasting)
• Ocean City Chamber of Commerce: Sent letter to Governor Hogan 1/25/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

New Jersey

• Southern New Jersey Development Council: Sent letter to BOEM opposing the Draft Proposed Program 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Cape May County Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 1/18/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Cape May County Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 2/6/2015 (offshore drilling)

North Carolina

• Carteret County Tourism Development Authority: Passed resolution 11/12/2015 
• New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority: Passed resolution 10/28/2015
• Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 10/28/2015 
• Carteret County Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 9/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); Reaffirmed 4/25/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Outer Banks Home Builders Association: Passed resolution 6/25/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Outer Banks Association of Realtors: Sent letter to BOEM 4/2/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 7/7/2014 (offshore drilling)
• Dare County Tourism Board: Passed resolution 4/24/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed resolution 6/19/2014 (offshore drilling) 

South Carolina

• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce: Sent letter to BOEM opposing the Draft Proposed Program 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association: Wrote a letter formally opposing offshore oil & gas activities 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce: Submitted RFI comment to BOEM 8/17/2017
• South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce: Passed resolution 1/12/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

Virginia

• Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke requesting that Virginia be excluded from the Five-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission: Sent letter to BOEM 02/29/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association: Voted to oppose 11/16/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Virginia Beach, VA Green Ribbon Committee: Sent letter to City Council 9/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Virginia Beach, VA Resort Advisory Commission: Voted to oppose 5/6/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Virginia Beach, VA Hotel Association: Voted to oppose  5/4/2015; Part 1 and Part 2 (offshore drilling)
• Virginia Beach, VA Restaurant Association: Sent letter to BOEM 3/25/2015 (offshore drilling)

 

Fishing Groups

• NC Catch: Resolution expressing opposition to offshore oil and gas activities in North Carolina 2/07/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Outer Banks Catch: Resolution opposing offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina 2/03/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Northwest Marine Alliance: Sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• New England Fishery Management Council: (6/29/2017), Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (4/25/2017) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (4/25/2017): Sent letters to Interior Secretary Zinke expressing concerns with the risks posed by seismic surveys and oil and gas development to managed resources, fisheries and coastal communities along the Atlantic coast.
• Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association: Sent letter to President opposing offshore oil exploration and development in the Atlantic 11/10/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Snook and Gamefish Foundation: Sent letter to BOEM opposing offshore oil exploration in the Atlantic 8/30/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Southern Shrimp Alliance: Sent letter to BOEM opposing offshore oil exploration in the Atlantic 6/24/2016 (seismic blasting)
• 36 commercial and recreational fishing interests in the Mid-Atlantic: Sent letter to the governors of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, expressing their concerns with offshore drilling and proposed seismic airgun blasting 3/29/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council: Updated and strengthened its policies to increase protection for fisheries and fish habitat from energy exploration and development activities for the species and areas the Council is charged with managing 2/17/2016 (Read the full policy)
• South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: Updated and strengthened its policies to increase protection for fisheries and fish habitat from energy exploration and development activities for the species and areas the Council is charged with managing 12/14/2015
• Fisheries Survival Fund: Sent letter to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council expressing concern 8/7/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: Sent letter to BOEM 4/30/2015 (seismic blasting)
• Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association: Submitted comments to BOEM 3/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Southeastern Fisheries Association: Sent letter to President Obama 12/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
• Billfish Foundation: Sent letter to BOEM 5/7/2014 (seismic blasting)
• International Game Fish Association: Sent letter to BOEM 5/1/2014 (seismic blasting); sent letter to BOEM and DOC 8/3/2017 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council: Sent letter to BOEM 5/2/2014 (seismic blasting)

 

Elected Officials and Key Stakeholders

Multi-state

• 227 state legislators representing 17 coastal states: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke opposing the Draft Proposed Program 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Attorney Generals (Oregon, California, North Carolina, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia): sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke 2/1/2018 (offshore drilling)
• 7 East Coast Governors: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke expressing joint opposition to the inclusion of the Atlantic Ocean in the proposed 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Attorneys General of Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island: Sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• Queen Quet, Gullah Geechee Nation: Sent letter to President Obama 11/3/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 70 State Legislators, led by Representatives Harrison and Jones, and Senators Campsen and Jackson: Sent letter to DOI 7/26/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Gullah/Geechee Nation, NC-SC-GA-FL: Passed 10/1/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 83 East Coast State Legislators, led by State Representative Pricey Harrison: Sent letter to BOEM 3/30/2015 (offshore drilling)

Delaware

• Delaware Department of Natural Resources: Submitted RFI comments opposing lease sales and oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic OCS 8/16/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Delaware Governor John Carney: Sent letter to BOEM 8/14/2017 (offshore drilling); issued statement 4/28/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 43 state and local elected officials from Delaware, led by Mayors Hansen and Becker, and Senators Peterson and Lopez: Sent letter to DOI 8/2/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary David Small: Sent letter to DOI 4/21/2015 (seismic blasting)

Florida

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Submitted RFI comments on behalf of itself, as well as the Florida Department of State, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Geological Survey, and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, expressing concerns about the effects of OCS oil and gas activities off Florida’s coasts 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Monroe County: Submitted RFI comments strongly opposing any expansion of offshore drilling 8/15/2017 (offshore drilling)
• City of Coconut Creek: Submitted RFI comments opposing the expansion of offshore drilling on the Atlantic coast 8/10/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Martin County: Submitted RFI comments strongly opposing any expansion of offshore drilling 7/26/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition: Sent letter to President Obama 11/15/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Florida State Department of Environmental Protection: Sent letter to BOEM "recommending delaying permitting until data/information that is currently not available can be collected and effects assessed using this new information" 4/20/2015 (seismic blasting)
• Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown: Sent letter to BOEM 5/7/2014 (seismic blasting)
• St. Augustine Beach Mayor Andrea Samuels: Sent letter to BOEM 4/15/2014 (seismic blasting)

Georgia

• Savannah Garden Club: Sent letter to President Obama 11/21/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 5 Georgia Mayors, led by Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown: Sent letter to President Obama 11/14/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
• One Hundred Miles: Sent letter to President Obama 11/4/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown: Sent letter to President Obama 10/6/2016 (seismic blasting)

Maryland

• Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh: Submitted RFI comments strongly opposing any efforts to open up the Mid-Atlantic OCS lease area to oil and gas exploration and drilling 8/17/2017
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Submitted RFI comments on behalf of the Hogan Administration opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and expressing serious concerns about seismic surveys and testing in the Atlantic Ocean 8/16/2017
• Maryland Governor Larry Hogan: Sent letter to BOEM 8/16/2017 (offshore drilling); letter of concern to NOAA 7/6/2017 (seismic blasting)
• Assateague Coastal Trust: Sent letter to President Obama 11/15/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 42 state and local elected officials from Maryland, led by Senator Raskin, Delegate Lierman and Council Member Hucker: Sent letter to DOI 8/2/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh: Sent letter to BOEM 3/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley: Sent letter to DOI 2/26/2014 (offshore drilling); Wrote an op-ed in the New York Times 2/2/2015 (offshore drilling)

North Carolina

• North Carolina Association of Resort Towns and Convention Cities: Coalition of NC cities and towns sent opposition letter to Kelly Hammerle, the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program Manager, expressing their disapproval of the Draft Proposed Program for the 2019-2024 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program 3/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke requesting a 60-day extension for public comments on the Draft Proposed Program and more opportunities for local voices to be heard 1/31/2018 (offshore drilling)
• North Carolina Council of Churches: Sent letter to President Obama 12/12/2016; sent letter to President Trump 8/15/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light: Sent letter to President Obama 12/13/2016; sent letter to President Trump 8/15/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Sent letter to BOEM 7/20/2017 (offshore drilling); sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• North Carolina Interfiath Power & Light: Sent letter to President Obama 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
• North Carolina Council of Churches: Adopted statement 3/1/2016 (offshore drilling)
• North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison and 21 members of the NC General Assembly: Sent letter to President Obama 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting)

New Jersey

• Atlantic County: Passed resolution endorsing bipartisan bill, H.R. 2158, the Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection (ASAP) Act 1/30/2018 (seismic blasting)
• New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Governor-Elect Phil Murphy, and Senators Booker (D-NJ) and Menendez (D-NJ): Sent letter to Secretary Zinke opposing oil and gas drilling off the coast of New Jersey 1/14/2018 (offshore drilling)
• New Jersey Assemblyman Eustace: Submitted RFI comment opposing offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production in the ocean 8/28/2017
• New Jersey Assemblymen Houghtaling and Downey: Submitted RFI comment strongly opposing any efforts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling into the Atlantic Ocean 8/17/2017
• New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: Sent letter to BOEM 8/16/2017 (offshore drilling)
• New Jersey State Senator Smith: Submitted RFI comment requesting BOEM abandon the 2019-2022 OCS leasing program 8/16/2017
• New Jersey State League of Municipalities: 7 mayors sent letter to DOI 1/30/2015 (offshore drilling)

New York

• New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman: Sent letter to BOEM 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
• New York State Departments of State (DOS) and Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA): Submitted joint RFI comment 8/17/17 (offshore drilling)
• 14 New York State Legislators: Issued citation 5/21/2017 (offshore drilling and exploration)
• Brookhaven Town Supervisor: Sent letter 5/21/2017 (offshore drilling)

South Carolina

• University of South Carolina's Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences: Sent letter to BOEM opposing oil and/or gas development off South Carolina 2/23/2018 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina State House of Representatives and South Carolina State Senate: Sent bipartisan letters to Secretary Zinke requesting South Carolina be excluded from the Draft Proposed Program 2/22/2018 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke requesting an exclusion for South Carolina from the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling)
• 32 South Carolina State Legislators: Sent letter to BOEM 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina State Senator Chip Campsen: Sent letter to BOEM 8/10/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Hilton Head Mayor Bennett: Sent letter to BOEM 8/7/2017 (offshore drilling); sent letter to NOAA 6/26/2017 (seismic blasting)
• South Carolina State Representative Hewitt: Sent letter to BOEM 7/31/2017 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster: Reiterates opposition to the media 6/26/2017 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling) 
• U.S. Representative Sanford (R-SC-01) and Mayors Tecklenburg (Charleston, SC)  &  Keyserling (Beaufort, SC): sent a letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to retain the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program in its current form, and deny any requests for seismic airgun blasting permits in the Atlantic Ocean 4/11/2017 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling) 
• Charleston Mayor John Tecklenberg: Sent letter to President Obama 12/7/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• South Carolina Wildlife Federation: Sent letter to President Obama 11/18/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling: Sent letter to President Obama 11/16/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 15 South Carolina Mayors, led by Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling: Sent letter to President Obama 7/5/2016 (seismic blasting)
• Horry County Democratic Party: Passed resolution 10/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Fripp Island Property Owners Association: Sent letter to Governor 7/16/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• South Carolina conservation groups: Sent letter to the Department of the Interior 5/26/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: Sent letter of concern to BOEM 4/28/2015 (seismic blasting)
• Charleston Mayor Joe Riley: Sent letter to BOEM 4/16/2014 (seismic blasting), sent letter 7/02/2012 (offshore drilling)
• Georgetown Mayor Jack Scoville: Wrote op-ed in South Strand News 4/13/2015 (offshore drilling)
• South Carolina State Senator Chip Campsen: Sent letter to BOEM 3/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• James Island Public Service District: Passed Resolution on 3/23/2015 (Offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

Virginia

• Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe: Sent letter to BOEM 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring: Sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• Virginia Lt Governor Ralph Northam: Issued statement 7/20/2017 (offshore drilling); sent letter to BOEM 2/25/2016 (offshore drilling) 
• Virginia Garden Club: Sent letter of opposition to BOEM 7/16/2016 (seismic blasting), sent letter to President Obama 11/2/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); expressed opposition in their legislative agenda 1/25/2016 (offshore drilling)
• Albermarle Garden Club: Resolution of opposition 5/18/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• Norfolk Garden Club: Passed resolution 3/16/2016 (offshore drilling)
• Sandbridge Civic League: Sent letter to President Obama, BOEM, et al. 11/1/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Resort Beach Civic League: Sent letter to President Obama, BOEM, et al. 11/1/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Virginia Beach Garden Club: Sent letter to BOEM 9/29/2015 (offshore drilling)
• Princess Anne Garden Club: Sent letter to City Council 9/8/2015 (offshore drilling); updated resolution 4/13/2016 (seismic blasting), sent letter to President Obama 11/4/2016 (offshore drilling)
• Lynnhaven River NOW: Sent letter to Congressman Rigell 8/25/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• The Virginia Aquarium: Sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council of Virginia Beach expressing concerns about offshore development near the Norfolk Canyon 8/18/15 (offshore drilling)

Scientists and advocacy groups

• 225 Nonprofit Organizations and Businesses: Sent letter to the U.S. House of Representatives opposing the pro-offshore drilling "ASTRO" Act 11/7/2017 
• 66 Nonprofit Organizations: Sent letter to U.S. House of Representatives opposing the pro-offshore drilling "SECURE" Act 11/7/2017 
• 67 Nonprofit Organizations: Sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• 60+ local groups: Sent letter to Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) in support of H.R. 2252, a bill that would establish a 10-year moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling and seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic, Straits of Florida, and Eastern Gulf of Mexico 6/8/2017
• 38 diverse community groups: Sent letter to DOI 5/24/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• 50+ conservation groups: Sent letter led by the Waterkeeper Alliance to President Obama urging him to permanently protect unleased U.S. waters from offshore drilling 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling)
• Members of the Green Group: Sent letter to the U.S. Senate urging them to vote down Senate Bill 3110 sponsored by Senators Vitter and Cassidy 7/5/2016 (offshore drilling)
• 30+ conservation groups: Sent letter to BOEM urging them to redo or supplement the environmental impact statement for offshore oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic 5/26/2016 (seismic blasting)
• 60+ conservation groups: Sent letter to BOEM urging them to deny pending permits for seismic blasting now that the Atlantic has been removed from the 5 year plan 4/28/2016 (seismic blasting)
• 28 leading marine biologists with specific expertise on the North Atlantic right whale: Submitted letter to President Obama to halt the permitting of oil and gas seismic surveys off the East Coast 4/14/2016 (seismic blasting)
• 48 state/regional conservation and civic groups: Sent letter to BOEM supporting their decision to remove the Atlantic from consideration for offshore drilling 4/11/2016 (offshore drilling)
• 75 Leading marine scientists: Sent letter to the President urging him "to reject the Interior Department's analysis and its decision to introduce seismic oil and gas surveys in the Atlantic,"  3/5/2015 (seismic blasting)
• 95 state and local elected officials: Submitted letter to President Obama opposing seismic blasting on 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting)
• 163 conservation and animal rights groups: Submitted letter to President Obama opposing seismic blasting on 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting)
• 100+ scientists: Sent letter to President Obama urging him to "wait on new science before permitting the use of seismic airguns in the Atlantic Ocean" 2/20/2014 (seismic blasting)

 

Military Stakeholders and NASA

• Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance: sent letter to Secretary Zinke strongly opposing any offshore drilling activities that could jeopardize the military's ability to conduct operations and training off the coast of Virginia 1/29/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Airforce: sent letter to Senator Nelson 6/27/2017 (offshore drilling)
• Office of the Under Secretary of Defense: responded to a letter from U.S. Representative Gaetz (R-FL) stating that “the DoD cannot overstate the vital importance of maintaining [the Eastern Gulf of Mexico offshore oil and gas] moratorium” (4/26/17)
• Florida Defense Support Task Force White Paper - Oil Drilling & Military Mission Compatibility: recommended that Florida maintain a united front in supporting an extension of the current moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico east of the Military Mission Line (1/31/17)
• DoD Mission Compatibility Planning Assessment - BOEM 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program: outlined the large conflicting national security and current military operational uses in the U.S. OCS, especially the Atlantic Ocean, with permanent and temporary oil and gas structures (10/30/15)
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) commented on the 2017-2022 Five-Year Plan Request for Information: expressed continued concern regarding the potential impacts that oil and gas development of the coast of Virginia would have on the operation at Wallops Flight Facility (8/2014)
• Defense Secretary Rumsfeld: sent a letter to Chairman John Warner stating that offshore oil and gas activities within the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Military Mission Line would be incompatible with military activities (11/20/2005)

 

Congressional Letters

• U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL): Sent letter to Interior Secretaries Ross and Zinke to deny oil and gas-related pending applications, such as seismic airgun blasting, in order to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale 4/2/2018 (seismic blasting)
• East Coast Republicans: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke opposing the inclusion of the Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Gulf of Mexico in the Draft Proposed Program 3/8/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Maryland Delegation led by Senator Cardin: Sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Zinke and Dr. Cruickshank strongly opposing the Draft Proposed Program 2/27/2018
• New York Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke requesting New York State be exempt from the Draft Proposed Program 2/8/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Congressman Rutherford (R-FL): Sent letter to BOEM Acting Director Cruickshank requesting an extension for the Draft Proposed Program public comment period and more hearings in Florida 2/1/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senator Cantwell (D-WA) and Pacific Northwest delegation: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove the Washington/Oregon planning areas from the Draft Proposed Program 2/1/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Rhode Island Congressional delegation: Sent letter to BOEM Acting Director Cruickshank urging him to remove RI from the Draft Proposed Program 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representative Jones (R-NC): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to hold public hearings in Dare County, NC for the Draft Proposed Program 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling)
• California Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to hold public hearings in Northern and Southern California coastal areas for the Draft Proposed Program 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representatives Grijalva (D-AZ), Lowenthal (D-CA) and McEachin (D-VA): Sent letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) to hold an oversight hearing of Zinke’s decision to remove Florida on day two of the Draft Proposed Program comment period 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Florida Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke reiterating strong opposition to offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Maryland House Democrats: Sent letter to Maryland Governor Hogan urging him to ask Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to remove MD from the Draft Proposed Program 1/19/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Florida Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Defense Secretary Mattis urging him to weigh in on the Draft Proposed Program to protect military interests in region 1/19/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senators Warner (D-VA) and Kaine (D-VA): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to hold public hearings in coastal VA for the Draft Proposed Program 1/18/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representatives Reichert (R-WA) and Herrera-Beutler (R-WA): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove WA from the Draft Proposed Program 1/18/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senator Nelson (D-FL): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke with concerns about the Draft Proposed Program 1/18/2018 (offshore drilling)
• More than 150 House Democrats led by U.S. Representative Pallone (D-NJ): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific and Eastern Gulf of Mexico planning areas from the Draft Proposed Program 1/18/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senator Reed and 21 other Senate Democrats: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove their coastal states from the Draft Proposed Program 1/11/2018 (offshore drilling)
• New Jersey Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to visit NJ and hold public hearings in coastal towns during the Draft Proposed Program 1/11/2018 (offshore drilling)
• New Hampshire Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke opposing the Draft Proposed Program 1/11/2018 (offshore drilling)
• Massachusetts Congressional delegation: Sent letter to MA Governor Baker urging him to formally oppose the Draft Proposed Program 1/10/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representative LoBiondo (R-NJ): Sent letter to BOEM Acting Director Cruickshank asking for more public hearings in NJ during the Draft Proposed Program 1/10/2018 (offshore drilling)
• New Jersey Congressional delegation: Sent letter to Secretary Zinke opposing the Draft Proposed Program 1/9/2018 (offshore drilling)
• 36 Senate Democrats led by U.S. Senator Merkley (D-OR): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to maintain the 2017-2022 plan 1/9/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senators King (I-ME)  and Collins (R-ME): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove ME from the Draft Proposed Program 1/8/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Pallone (D-NJ): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him to remove NJ from the Draft Proposed Program 1/05/2018 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representative Rice (R-SC): Sent letter to BOEM 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
• 30 U.S. Senators led by Merkley (D-OR) and Markey (D-MA): Sent letter to BOEM 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
• 68 U.S. Representatives led by Pallone (D-NJ) and Sanford (R-SC): Sent bipartisan letter to BOEM 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senators Carper and Coons: Sent letter to Commerce Secretary Ross 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
• U.S. Senator Nelson: Sent letter opposing the proposed issuance of 5 IHAs to authorize harassment of marine mammals by companies seeking to conduct oil and gas seismic testing off the Atlantic coast (7/20/2017)
• U.S. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen: Sent letter to MD Governor Hogan urging him to request a Coastal Zone Management Act consultation for new seismic airgun blasting permit applications off the coast of Maryland (6/30/2017)
• 103 U.S. Representatives led by Reps. Rutherford (R-FL) & Beyer (D-VA): Sent bipartisan letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him not to authorize Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) and deny pending seismic airgun blasting permits in the Atlantic (6/28/2017)
• New Jersey's entire Congressional delegation: Sent bipartisan letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service voicing concerns over  the proposal to issue seismic airgun blasting permits in the Atlantic, requesting an extension of the comment period for IHAs, and field hearings for their constituents (6/9/2017)
• 14 U.S. Senators led by Sen. Nelson (D-FL): Sent letter to Commerce Secretary Ross opposing the issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) for Atlantic offshore oil and gas exploration, including seismic airgun blasting; and requested the agency extend the public comment period, and hold field hearings (6/9/2017)
• 107 U.S. Representatives led by Reps. LoBiondo (R-NJ), & Lowenthal (D-CA): Sent bipartisan letter to Interior Secretary Zinke urging him not to include the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the new OCS Five-Year Plan as re-initiated by President Trump’s Executive Order (5/11/2017)
• U.S. Reps. Pallone (Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee; D-NJ) & Grijalva (Ranking Member,  House Natural Resources Committee; D-AZ): Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke expressing concerns over  President Trump's instructions via Executive Order to review the 2017-2022 OCS Five-Year Plan (5/2/2017)
• 27 U.S. Senators led by Sens.  Markey (D-MA) & Menendez (D-NJ): Sent letter to Sec. Zinke urging him not to revise the 2017-2022 OCS Five-Year Plan (4/27/2017)
• 15 Members of Florida's Congressional delegation led by Reps. Gaetz (R-FL) & Dunn (R-FL): Sent bipartisan letter to Defense Secretary General James Mattis requesting he maintains the moratorium on oil and gas leasing activities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (3/24/2017)
• 17 Members of Florida's Congressional delegation led by Sen. Bill Nelson: Sent bipartisan letter urging the Trumpadministration to keep offshore drilling out of the eastern Gulf of Mexico (3/24/2017)
• U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6): Sent letter asking President Obama to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from any future offshore oil and gas leasing 11/16/2016
• 14 U.S. Senators: Sent letter asking President Obama to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from any future offshore oil and gas leasing 10/6/2016 (offshore drilling) 
• 74 U.S. Representatives: Sent bipartisan letter asking President Obama to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from any future offshore oil and gas leasing 9/28/2016 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senators Carper and Coons (DE): Sent letter to DOI opposing seismic airgun blasting in the Mid-Atlantic region 9/1/2016 (seismic blasting) 
• U.S. Representatives Sanford (SC-1) and Connolly (VA-11): Sent bipartisan letter with 53 colleagues urging President Obama to halt consideration of G&G permits in the Atlantic 6/8/2016 (seismic blasting)
• 7 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to the State Department and DOI expressing concern over Canada's decision to allow offshore drilling off the coast of Canada, near George's Bank 5/19/2016 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA): Sent letter with 28 colleagues to Secretary of State John Kerry expressing serious concern over offshore oil and gas exploration and development in Nova Scotia waters tangential to critical U.S. fishing waters 5/19/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
• U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6): Sent letter to NOAA requesting a public hearing on pending permit applications for seismic blasting in the Atlantic 5/11/2016
• 18 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to President Obama urging the administration to refrain from permitting seismic blasting in the Atlantic 4/28/2016 
• 51 U.S. Representatives: Sent letter to President Obama thanking the administration for removing the Atlantic from consideration in the five year plan 4/25/2016 (offshore drilling)
• 36 U.S. Representatives: Sent bipartisan letter to DOI asking to remove the Atlantic Ocean from the next five year plan 2/11/2016 (offshore drilling) 
• 10 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to DOI asking not to issue any new leases in federal waters 2/3/2016 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Senator Menendez and Rep. Pallone (NJ-6): Sent letter to President Obama asking him to place the Atlantic off-limits in the next lease sale auction 2/1/2016 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representatives Scott (VA-3) and Sanford (SC-1): Sent bipartisan letter with 31 colleagues to BOEM asking to halt seismic testing in the Atlantic 12/14/2015 (seismic blasting)
• 53 U.S. Representatives: Sent letter to DOI 3/9/2015 (offshore drilling) 
• 12 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to DOI 3/9/2015 (offshore drilling)
• U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2): Sent letter to BOEM opposing offshore drilling in the Mid-Atlantic 3/18/2015
• U.S. Representative Mark Sanford (SC-1): Sent letter to President urging him "to reject the Interior Department's analysis and its decision to introduce seismic oil and gas surveys in the Atlantic"  4/20/2015 (seismic blasting)
• U.S. Representatives Scott (VA-3), Beyer (VA-8), and Connolly (VA-11): Sent letter to DOI opposing Atlantic offshore drilling 2/20/2015 
• U.S. Senators Menendez and Booker, Rep. Pallone (NJ-6): Sent letter to President Obama opposing Atlantic offshore drilling 1/30/2015
• 13 members of Florida's Congressional delegation: Sent letter to DOI opposing offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico 8/27/2014
• 7 Southeast U.S. Representatives: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 8/1/2014 
• 8 members of Maryland's congressional delegation: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 7/31/2014
• U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (FL-1): Sent letter to DOI opposing offshore drilling and seismic testing 7/31/2014
• 11 members of Florida's congressional delegation: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 7/18/2014 
• U.S. Representative John Carney (DE-At Large): Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing and offshore drilling 7/3/2014 
• 9 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to DOI requesting that the seismic airgun PEIS not be released without incorporation of the "best available science" 2/26/2014
• 4 members of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources: Sent letter to DOI and NOAA expressing their concern and requesting information about seismic testing and offshore drilling 1/8/2014 
• 6 Southeast U.S. House of Representatives: Sent letter to DOI urging Secretary Jewell to "use extreme caution when considering any proposals to allow drilling off the Atlantic Coast" 5/24/2013
• 13 members of Florida's congressional delegation: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 4/17/2013
• U.S. Reps Scott (VA-3), Moran (VA-8, retired), and Connolly (VA-11): Sent letter to DOI opposing seismic testing 1/31/2013
• 27 U.S. Representatives: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 1/30/2013 
• 8 U.S. Senators: Sent letter to President Obama opposing seismic testing 1/30/2013

 

Editorials

• Cape Charles Wave, VA: Offshore Drilling Puts Fragile VA Coast at Risk
• Free Lance-Star, VA: The proper posture on offshore drilling
• Free Lance-Star, VA: Adoration for offshore drilling suggests need for a reality check
• The Virginian-Pilot: A circuitous path to offshore drilling opposition
• The Virginian-Pilot: Wise retreat on offshore drilling
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Still time for Beach to get right on drilling
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Revisit Beach's drilling position
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Real risks to Virginia coast
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Too many risks to drill off Virginia
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: The perils for tourism lurking offshore
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Beach leaders need to reverse vote, oppose drilling
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Virginia Beach Back from the Petroleum Brink
• The Virginian-Pilot, VA: Those mythical 25,000 offshore drilling jobs
• The Houston Chronicle, TX: Intrusive legacy
• Aiken Standard, SC: Don't get too gung-ho about offshore drilling
• Aiken Standard, SC: Offshore drilling bill isn't energy solution
• Aiken Standard, SC: Settlement by BP must come as stark reminder
• Bluffton Today, SC: Administration says no to seismic testing
• Bluffton Today, SC: Hearts and Darts
• Bluffton Today, SC: Drilling Decision the right move
• Bluffton Today, SC: Stand up against offshore drilling
• Bluffton Today, SC: DHEC makes wrong call
• Beaufort Gazette, SC: Oil drilling, seismic testing still a bad idea
• Beaufort Gazette, SC: Wins for the environment a challenge for 2017
• Charleston Currents, SC: Keep your mitts off of our coast
• Florence Morning News, SC: The outlook is bright for city, county
• Low Country Current, SC: Offshore drilling a threat to what we see as beautiful
• My Horry News, SC: Myrtle Beach took the correct position on offshore drilling
• News & Record, SC: In the offshore drilling debate, whose interests are spoken for?
• Post & Courier, SC: Stand firm against offshore oil
• Post and Courier, SC: Hold line against offshore oil
• Post & Courier, SC: Offshore oil a wrong turn
• Post & Courier, SC: Numbers against offshore oil
• Post & Courier, SC: Seismic surveys muted
• Post & Courier, SC: Offshore drilling fight is still on
• Post & Courier, SC: No offshore seismic tests
• Post & Courier, SC: Seismic tests bad for business
• Post & Courier, SC: Heed mayors on seismic testing
• Post & Courier, SC: Stop offshore seismic testing
• Post & Courier, SC: Don't drill- or survey, either
• Post & Courier, SC: No oil drilling, no testing offshore S.C.
• Post & Courier, SC: Public's voice blocks drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: Offshore drilling not right for SC
• Post & Courier, SC: Offshore drilling not worth risks
• Post & Courier, SC: An Incoherent Energy Policy
• Post & Courier, SC: Rally against offshore drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: Heed coastal consensus on drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: 1.4 million reasons not to drill
• Post & Courier, SC: Sanford sees the light on offshore drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: Is anyone in Columbia listening to the coast? FYI, we said no offshore drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: Haley should reverse course on offshore drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: How many more readers must suffer?
• Post & Courier, SC: Two more reasons not to drill
• Post & Courier, SC: Outrageously dismissive DHEC
• Post & Courier, SC: Putting a price on oil spill damage
• Post & Courier, SC: Participating in the democratic process
• Post & Courier, SC: 'No drilling' voices grow 
• Post & Courier, SC: Yet another "no" to offshore drilling
• Post & Courier, SC: Rising tide of opposition to drilling off SC coast
• Post & Courier, SC: Rice joins coastal protection chorus
• Post & Courier, SC: Stop offshore seismic testing
• Post & Courier, SC: Rising voices against offshore drilling
• Southstrand News, SC: Gov. Haley stayed tone-deaf to her coastal citizens
• Sumter Item, SC: Stop offshore drilling in the Atlantic now
• The Herald, SC: Don’t revive plan for offshore drilling
• The Herald, SC: Reversal of offshore drilling plans is welcome
• The Herald, SC: Consider the risk of offshore drilling
• The Herald, SC: Protect SC's coast from oil exploration
• The Island Packet, SC: Our View- Why the offshore drilling decision matters
• The Island Packet, SC: Pro-drilling forces have a lot to prove
• The Island Packet, SC: Don't miss the deadline to comment on drilling
• The Sun News, SC: Offshore drilling, testing could be revisited in a few years
• The Sun News, SC: Crude Oil Doesn't Fit in Tourism Economy
• The Sun News, SC: Offshore Wind a Viable Source for Future Electrical Energy
• The Sun News, SC: Offshore oil drilling opposed unanimously by Horry coastal municipalities
• Asbury Park Press, NJ: Ill timing for seismic testing
• Press of Atlantic City: Offshore drilling / worst time ever
• South Jersey Times, NJ: Don't harm marine life when having a blast
• Star Ledger, NJ: Jersey takes on Big Oil, and Jersey wins. Thanks, Obama
• Star Ledger, NJ: Oil drilling off the Atlantic coast is a bad idea
• The Times of Trenton, NJ: Oil drilling off Atlantic coast is dangerous for N.J., neighboring states
• Beaumont Enterprise, NC: Seismic tests in Beaumont need firm controls
• Brunswick Beacon, NC: County board should not support risky business 
• Citizen Times, NC: Tread carefully with offshore drilling plans
• Daily Advance, NC: Our View- Coastal Communities Rising Up In Opposition To Drilling
• Fayetteville Observer, NC: Our View: Halting offshore drilling plan a wise move
• Fayetteville Observer, NC: Our View: Drill here? Maybe. Drill now? That's impossible
• Island Gazette, NC: Kure Beach should reconsider stance on seismic testing and offshore drilling at Jan 19th Meeting
• News & Record, NC: No drilling, for now
• News & Record, NC: Dreams of drilling
• News & Record, NC: In the offshore drilling debate, whose interests are spoken for?
• News & Observer, NC: People’s voice helped reverse plan for drilling off Atlantic coast
• News & Observer, NC: Offshore drilling would threaten the NC coast
• Star News, NC: Right decision on offshore drilling
• Star News, NC: Be mindful of consequences of oil, gas exploration
• Star News, NC: Keep drilling well offshore
• State Port Pilot, NC: Too Many Unknowns
• State Port Pilot, NC: You Can't Have Both
• The Appalachian, NC: Oil drilling plan poses uncertainty, risks
• Tideland News, NC: Cedar Point officials do right
• Times News, NC: Offshore drilling Handle with care
• Port Isabel-South Padre Press, CA: Dune Hugger- North Carolina Oil
• Baltimore Sun, MD: Offshore Drilling- All Risk, No Reward
• Cecil Whig, MD: Seismic testing off coast ill-advised
• Portland Press Herald, ME: Our View Offshore drilling is not the right move for Maine
• Savannah Morning News, GA: Score one for Obama in nixing offshore drilling
• Savannah Morning News, GA: Now is the time
• Florida Times-Union , FL: No Seismic Testing
• Florida Times-Union, FL: Thanks to Obama, our coast is in danger
• Florida Times-Union, FL: Offshore drilling is a danger to Florida
• Jacksonville Daily News, FL: Offshore drilling Handle with care
• Miami Herald, FL: Don't drill, baby!
• Miami Herald, FL: Keep the oceans clean
• Ocala Star Banner, FL: The fight over offshore drilling
• OrlandoSentinel, FL: Don't Expose Atlantic coast to drilling Risks
• Orlando Sentinel, FL: Expand offshore oil, gas drilling? Front Burner
• Pensacola News Journal, FL: Never forget the tragic lessons of BP's oil spill
• St. Augustine Record, FL: Seismic testing Lots of pain, little gain
• St. Augustine Record, FL: Seismic testing, drilling aren't worth the risk
• Sarasota Herald Tribune, FL: Prepare to fight over offshore drilling
• Tampa Bay Times, FL: Close door to drilling off FL's coast
• Tampa Bay Times, FL: Bush, Rubio send wrong signal on oil drilling off Florida
• Delaware News Journal, DE: Dilemmas plague fossil fuel supply
• Washington Post, DC: Debate over seismic air guns should wait until science has spoken
• Connecticut Post, DC: A case of 'oil spill amnesia'

 

Pacific

For information on West Coast opposition to offshore drilling activities, please visit: usa.oceana.org/pacific-drilling

 

Atlantic Drilling Media Briefer - November 3, 2016

• Briefing Document
• Audio
• Transcript